Valve assembly and seal therefor

A valve assembly comprising:

• a valve stem;
• a resilient seal having a first pair of orifices;
• a first valve disk coupled to one end of the valve stem and disposed adjacent the seal, the first valve disk including a second pair of orifices;
• and
• an insert having a recess configured to receive the seal and including a third pair of seals, the first, second and third pairs of orifices cooperating with each other to allow the passage of fluid through the valve assembly.

A method of changing the opening movement of a valve assembly between a clockwise movement and a counterclockwise movement, the method comprising:

• providing a seal insert;
• providing a valve sub-assembly, the valve assembly being disposed in a first position relative to the seal insert;
• and
• rotating the valve sub-assembly relative to the seal insert to a second position.

A valve assembly comprising:

• a valve stem;
• a valve disk coupled to the valve stem;
• and
• a bow-tie shaped seal operatively disposed adjacent the valve disk and cooperating therewith to control the flow of water through the valve assembly.

A method of changing the opening movement of a valve assembly between a clockwise movement and a counterclockwise movement, the method comprising:

• providing a first valve member, wherein the first valve member includes one of a bonnet, a seal insert and an end body;
• providing a second valve member disposed in a first position relative to the first valve member, wherein the second valve member includes one of the bonnet, the seal insert and the end body;
• and
• rotating the second valve member relative to the first valve member to a second position.

A method of changing the opening movement of a valve assembly between a clockwise movement and a counterclockwise movement, the method comprising:

• providing a first valve member, wherein the first valve member includes one of a valve stem, a seal insert and an end body;
• providing a second valve member disposed in a first position relative to the first valve member, wherein the second valve member includes one of the valve stem, the seal insert and the end body;
• and
• rotating the second valve member relative to the first valve member to a second position.

A valve assembly comprising:

• a valve disk;
• a seal;
• and
• means for changing the direction of operation of the valve assembly, wherein the means for changing includes a first valve member and a second valve member, the first valve member being disposed in a first position relative to a second valve member for opening operation in a first direction and in a second position relative to the second valve member for opening operation in a second direction.